Every year, woodpeckers cause damage to homes and drive homeowners crazy with their incessant pounding. You can't harm them since they are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Act, so don't go after them with a rifle like some real-life Elmer Fudd.

Some of the noise, especially during spring mating season, has to do with advertising a bird's territory. When a woodpecker chooses to drum on a resonant object like a gutter, chimney cap or antenna, it's broadcasting a message to rivals that it already has staked a claim in the neighborhood.

Most often, they are after bugs that live in wooden structures. Think of that racket as an early warning that you may have an insect infestation requiring the attention of an exterminator. Materials frequently damaged by woodpeckers include rooofing or siding made of softwoods like cedar, pine or redwood.

As a temporary measure, the Humane Society of the United States recommends preventing the nuisance bird from reaching his favorite site. Tack a sheet of heavy plastic, nylon webbing or screen window material to gutters or eaves so it stands at least three inches away from the wall under attack. If there is nothing else available, temporarily fasten a board along the top of the wall to use a an anchor.

Another option is to mount devices intended to scare woodpeckers and persuade them to go elsewhere. These include plastic streamers, strips of aluminum foil, ordinary balloons or "scare balloons" imprinted with menacing predator "eyes" (available from such retailers as absolutebirdcontrol.com).

There are no repellents that have been proven effective against woodpeckers. The real solution is to exterminate the wood-dwelling insects and repair or replace the affected siding.